Technics SL-P990 Skipping- Laser adjustment? - Page 2

tubenut · 17th March 2006, 07:27 AM

Thanks Anatech

Will see if I find the courage to strip a perfectly functioning mech to absolute hustler state....

Just need to decide if I want to hold on to this player or not...
It will have to be superior to the Theta Data Basic II (cdm9 pro) as a transport, as a player it is not as good as my Data Basic/DS Pro Basic.

AND, I need to know if I will be able to buy new lasers before it takes long term residence in my abode........

Thanks
Guillaume

anatech · 17th March 2006, 01:43 PM

Hi Guillaume,
I don't care for the Technics sound either, seems they "mash" the sound.

The easy answer to your question would be a call to the local Technics service facility. Disc motors, laser heads and suspension rubber seem to be the biggest problems. Get a spare belt while you are at it.

If the tech indicates these items are fine, get spares and the manual anyhow. Have him optimize the adjustments.

-Chris

matski · 18th March 2006, 09:06 AM

Hi anatech,

Your advice has paid off! After carfeully following the procedure you gave me I have had two days of faultless performance. I agree with you on the "technics sound" but it does not seem to be a problem with this player. It's certainly a lot better than the SL-P777 I have, far fuller and darker silences. It's not as good as my CD2 but certainly less japanese and "electronically processed" than many others, e.g Yamaha that I also have. Now if I could just make the bass as good as on my CD104, I'd be happy!

Thanks again

Mat

anatech · 18th March 2006, 10:08 PM

Hi Matt,
I'm happy things are working out so far.

Improving the sound might be as easy ($$) as adding an outboard DAC. Try for a multibit type. You could take the CD player in and try them in the store, you can then compare with the built in DAC to make sure you are moving up.

IMHO the only way to modify your machine would be to bypass the D/A and analog section and install a D/A - audio board. It's a lot of work and the external DAC can move from machine to machine as required.

-Chris

tubenut · 19th March 2006, 08:39 AM

Hi all

Did some listening to the Acurus (Technics based mech I now assume) vs Theta Data Basic II (CDM9 pro based with various tweaks added by me).

Well, the Theta will remain my drive of choice feeding a DS Pro Basic II DAC.

The Acurus CD Player is considered a good transport by many on the net, in fact acurus talk more about the wonders of this mech then the DAC on the player literature.

In summary I would say that the Theta provides a deeper soundstage, has a subtle unforced nature and is quite lush in its presentation with lovely unforced detail and focus. The Acurus makes one sit up and take notice but it seems more HiFi, I like some of its exuberance but it gets a little more tyring on harder sounding discs. My wife says it sounds like the Acurus tries too hard in comparison.

If the discussed Technics player is anything like this Acurus, I would recommend a DAC with a mellower tone, multibit perhaps with a tube?

Peavees · 11th July 2007, 08:07 AM

I keep SL-P990-
No Mash sound!
Its quad PCM56P-J

17th March 2006, 07:27 AM	#11
tubenut diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: South Africa, Jhb	Thanks Anatech Will see if I find the courage to strip a perfectly functioning mech to absolute hustler state.... Just need to decide if I want to hold on to this player or not... It will have to be superior to the Theta Data Basic II (cdm9 pro) as a transport, as a player it is not as good as my Data Basic/DS Pro Basic. AND, I need to know if I will be able to buy new lasers before it takes long term residence in my abode........ Thanks Guillaume __________________ Guillaume Croak Audio Exploration

19th March 2006, 08:39 AM	#15
tubenut diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: South Africa, Jhb	Hi all Did some listening to the Acurus (Technics based mech I now assume) vs Theta Data Basic II (CDM9 pro based with various tweaks added by me). Well, the Theta will remain my drive of choice feeding a DS Pro Basic II DAC. The Acurus CD Player is considered a good transport by many on the net, in fact acurus talk more about the wonders of this mech then the DAC on the player literature. In summary I would say that the Theta provides a deeper soundstage, has a subtle unforced nature and is quite lush in its presentation with lovely unforced detail and focus. The Acurus makes one sit up and take notice but it seems more HiFi, I like some of its exuberance but it gets a little more tyring on harder sounding discs. My wife says it sounds like the Acurus tries too hard in comparison. If the discussed Technics player is anything like this Acurus, I would recommend a DAC with a mellower tone, multibit perhaps with a tube? __________________ Guillaume Croak Audio Exploration

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17th March 2006, 01:43 PM	#12
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi Guillaume, I don't care for the Technics sound either, seems they "mash" the sound. The easy answer to your question would be a call to the local Technics service facility. Disc motors, laser heads and suspension rubber seem to be the biggest problems. Get a spare belt while you are at it. If the tech indicates these items are fine, get spares and the manual anyhow. Have him optimize the adjustments. -Chris

18th March 2006, 09:06 AM	#13
matski diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Yorkshire	Hi anatech, Your advice has paid off! After carfeully following the procedure you gave me I have had two days of faultless performance. I agree with you on the "technics sound" but it does not seem to be a problem with this player. It's certainly a lot better than the SL-P777 I have, far fuller and darker silences. It's not as good as my CD2 but certainly less japanese and "electronically processed" than many others, e.g Yamaha that I also have. Now if I could just make the bass as good as on my CD104, I'd be happy! Thanks again Mat

18th March 2006, 10:08 PM	#14
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi Matt, I'm happy things are working out so far. Improving the sound might be as easy ($$) as adding an outboard DAC. Try for a multibit type. You could take the CD player in and try them in the store, you can then compare with the built in DAC to make sure you are moving up. IMHO the only way to modify your machine would be to bypass the D/A and analog section and install a D/A - audio board. It's a lot of work and the external DAC can move from machine to machine as required. -Chris

11th July 2007, 08:07 AM	#16
Peavees diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006	I keep SL-P990- No Mash sound! Its quad PCM56P-J

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